Monday, August 28, 2017

Will the real Martin Luther please stand up? After five hundred years of examining the life of the "father of the Reformation," we must surely know all there is to know about Martin Luther. But is that true?Did he really nail his Ninety-Five Theses to the church door?Did he throw an inkpot at the devil?Did he plant an apple tree?Did his wife escape her convent in a herring barrel?German radio and television journalist Andreas Malessa looks at the actual history of Luther and concludes that many of the tales we know best are nothing but nonsense.Diving gleefully into the research, Malessa investigates many of the falsehoods and fallacies surrounding the reformer, rejecting them in favor of equally incredible facts. Full of humor and irony, this book educates and entertains while demonstrating a profound respect for Luther's life and mission.If you're looking for the truth of the man behind the theses, come discover his faith and influence--with the myths stripped away.My review:

Martin Luther is a very well know, well loved, and very controversial individual. I thought I knew a lot about him, but this book looked interesting, so I requested it.... and found out I didn't know as much about him as I thought.

The author does a great job of addressing what is true and what is false in what we know about Luther. Often humorous, he tackles several ideas we have about Luther and dispels the ones that are not true.

I found the book interesting, and learned a few things along the way. Recommended for church history buffs, and anyone interested in Martin Luther.

About the author:

Andreas Malessa is a theologian, author, and lyricist, most recently for the musical Amazing Grace. He and his wife live near Stuttgart and have two grown daughters.

The Unreformed Martin Luther is available from Kregel Publishing. Thanks to Kregel for the review copy.

Sunday, August 27, 2017

The Bible’s Exodus account is under attack from many of the world’s leading experts who say there is no evidence for this foundational story – they claim it’s just a myth. Faced with the skepticism, filmmaker Timothy Mahoney experienced a crisis of faith. Mahoney had been investigating the Bible’s Exodus account, and this controversy forced him to refocus on one question – is there any evidence that this foundational story really happened?The result of the 12-year investigation was the feature-length documentary film, Patterns of Evidence: the Exodus. It reveals a powerful and faith-affirming pattern of evidence matching the major events of the Bible’s Exodus and Conquest accounts in the archaeology of Egypt and Israel. This evidence has been largely unrecognized because it exists in an earlier period of history than where most scholars are looking. Yet the historical information in the Bible itself points to the Exodus happening in a historical period that is centuries earlier than the standard view today.Mahoney combines a vivid retelling of the biblical story with interviews of top authorities from both sides of the debate in an investigation spanning the ancient and modern worlds. His bold new approach identifies six primary steps of the Exodus account before looking for evidence matching these steps wherever it exists in Egypt‘s history. The results are startling and could fundamentally transform the way the world views history and the Bible.My review:

I don't watch many documentaries, but decided to review this one since it sounded interesting. The producers and narrator did a great job on it. There are a lot of interviews with experts, some of whom say there is no evidence of the Exodus and some who do. The producers are honest about their doubt throughout the DVD, of course coming to the conclusion that there is indeed evidence of The Exodus.

There are a lot of video shots of the Holy Land, especially in the area of the Exodus. This documentary is well done, interesting, and they do a great job of showing there is evidence of the Exodus.

A bonus feature DVD is also included that has features such as meeting the cast, behind the music, and more.

About the author/filmmaker/producer :

Tim Mahoney founded Mahoney Media Group, Inc. (MMG) in 1989. MMG focused its business on television and video production for regional and national companies. In 2014 Tim founded Thinking Man Films & Media as an international documentary & publishing company with a focus on education and the Bible. Tim produced numerous productions for Christian organizations including the Billy Graham Association, World Wide Pictures, and Compassion International. Tim also served as the President of the board for the International Christian Visual Media Association (ICVM). Tim’s first full feature documentary film, “PATTERNS OF EVIDENCE: THE EXODUS”, released in January 2015. The film took 12 years to develop and takes a scientific approach to investigate the events of the biblical Exodus. The overall vision for his film company is to explore “patterns of evidence” that support the biblical narrative and engages the world in a conversation. The film takes a balanced approach and leaves the audience to decide for themselves if the Bible is real history or myth.

About the film
Won 13 awards on the film festival circuit in 2014, including a Gold Remi Award winner for Best Director at the Worldfest Houston Intl. Film Festival, the Gold Crown Award for Best Picture and Best Documentary at ICVM 2014, and Official Selection at the Soho International Film Festival in New York.

Supplemental resources associated with the film include a nearly 400-page hardcover book, small group Bible study, Movie Event kit, youth version (called Young Explorers), homeschool curriculum and others.

It includes powerful interviews with some of the top experts in the fields of archaeology and Egyptology as well as people of influence in the Middle East.

The film has an objective, fair-minded and balanced approach. It allows viewpoints from all sides to be heard in a respectful way while asking honest questions of the Bible and scholars’ views. It does not preach and lets the evidence speak for itself. This allows the film to be very shareable with those of different viewpoints.

Saturday, August 26, 2017

The Dramatic Conclusion to Michael Phillips's Shetland Islands Saga Loni Ford's unexpected inheritance of substantial real estate--not to mention a title--in the Shetland Islands has caused more than a stir in the quiet fishing hamlet of Whale's Reef. How is life ever to be the same with an outsider--and a woman, at that--playing such a pivotal role in the life of this conservative community? But it isn't just the locals who have deep misgivings about the current situation. Loni herself never imagined this in her wildest dreams. What Loni is more sure of, however, is that she is falling in love--with Whales Reef, with its hardy people, with its simple, peaceful way of life, and with local chieftain David Tulloch, whose inheritance she has usurped, at least in the eyes of some. But life in Whales Reef is not without drama. Deep rifts exist between certain lifelong residents, and when one local resident turns up dead, suspicion is cast in the direction of the island's most prominent family. How Loni and David deal with this challenge will go a long way in determining their future, and that of the quaint island community.My review:This is by far the best series Michael Phillips has written..... at least that I have read. I loved the first two books, and have been eagerly waiting for this third and final book in the series.

This book goes back and forth between the past and future more than the two previous books did, focusing on Loni's great grandfather and great grandmother's meeting, dating, marriage, and the rest of their lives. To be honest, I was a bit distracted by this at first and wished the author would stick to the modern day story...... but then I got caught up in the story of Brogan and Emily. Though their story and Loni and David's story were all fictional, it was neat the way the author showed the legacy of a family down through a few generations. The book flowed well as Phillips went back and forth between the past and present, weaving them together to make one great and entertaining story.

This is a long book, but it was one I had difficulty putting down. Though not the suspense I normally read, this and the books it follows were all gripping reads and Phillips excelled in his writing in the whole series.

The Legacy takes the reader from the small Shetland Islands across the sea and back, and across the years and back. The ending result was a great read that I enjoyed, though I was sorry to see the series end. I highly recommend this series, it is definitely worth reading.

I was given a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

About the author:

Michael Phillips has been writing in the Christian marketplace for 30 years. All told, he has written, co-written, and edited some 110 books. Phillips and his wife live in the U.S., and make their second home in Scotland.

The Legacy, and the rest of the Secrets of the Shetlands Series, is available from Bethany House, part of the Baker Publishing Group.

Some say there were two thieves crucified on Golgotha, but I believe there were Three In the ultimate act of sacrifice, Jesus robbed the Enemy of every claim he ever had on our lives. He stole all our shame and guilt, and gave us back our lives so that we could live in true freedom. The real scandal of Jesus' work on the cross is found not only in what it gives but also in what it steals. The Grace of God robs the enemy of his ability to shame us. It robs death of its sting. And it robs sin of its power to destroy. We've all felt the weight of shame and brokenness. Like the prodigal son, we've pursued our own path only to find ourselves far from home and out of options. We long for a fresh start, but what we need most is the ability to see ourselves through God's eyes of grace. New York City pastor Chris Durso believes grace is the central message of all Scripture. While there have been some daring heists and cunning capers throughout history, this book is about the greatest heist the world has ever seen...a daring raid where God's son took back what the enemy had stolen, freeing us from the power of shame, sin, and Satan. Through a fresh take on the parable of the prodigal son, and the fascinating account of a true modern day diamond heist, The Heist offers a bold invitation into God's boundless grace.My review:

I had never heard of Chris Durso before reading this book, but the title and premise intrigued me... so I requested it to review.

There have been a lot of books written and sermons preached on and about grace. I am sure it is difficult to come up with something new and fresh on the topic, but Durso has done a great job of doing so. Comparing Grace taking our shame to a robbery/heist, he does indeed take a different approach and look at this immense topic of grace.

Filled with personal stories and his take on grace and the prodigal son, he has written an intriguing, interesting, and encouraging book. I tend to read more fiction than non-fiction, but I found this book as interesting of a read as the average Christian fiction novel I read. No matter how mature the Christian, we often have trouble letting go of shame. Through his book, Durso shows how it is possible to get rid of that shame with God's grace and forgiveness and move on from it.

I was given a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.About the author:

Chris Durso is the founding pastor at Misfit NYC, a ministry for millennials in New York. He is co-pastor of Christ Tabernacle church in Queens, New York. Chris resides with his wife, Yahris, and two children, Dylan and Chloe, in New York.

In this companion to Cold-Case Christianity for Kids, Jason uncovers a mystery in his grandmother's attic. He and his friends, Hannah, Daniel and Jasmine, enlist the help of Detective Jeffries at the Jr. Detective's Academy. Along the way, they develop the skills needed to investigate the mystery and the evidence of God's existence. The cadets learn logical-thinking skills as they examine the contents of a mysterious box and the vast universe.

In God's Crime Scene for Kids, real-life detective J. Warner Wallace shows kids ages 8 to 12 what skills are needed to solve Jason's mystery, and at the same time looks at evidence in the universe that demonstrates God is the creator. Ultimately, kids will learn how to make their own case for God's existence.My review:

The subtitle of this book is "Investigate Creation with a real live detective." Using his experience as a cold case homicide detective, Wallace has written a book for kids with Creation being the case to be solved. The premise of the book is a detective named Jeffries is training kids in the Special Investigation Junior Academy. Throughout the book, there is interaction between the detective and the kids he is training. He explains the methods used to solve cold cases, and helps them apply them to Creation to prove it really happened.

The book is a fun and interesting read. Even with myself being an adult, I found the crime solving methods interesting, especially when applied to Creation. The Wallaces have put together a great book for kids that will not only entertain, but will also teach.

I was given a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.About the author:

J. Warner Wallace is a cold-case homicide detective who has been featured on
Dateline, FOX News, and Court TV. A former atheist, he is the author of Cold-Case Christianity and God's Crime Scene. Wallace has a master's degree in theology and lives in California with his wife and four children.

Friday, August 18, 2017

Tess O'Rourke dreams of becoming the first female chief of police in Long Beach, California. As commander of the East Division, she is well on her way . . . until the night she responds to an officer-needs-assistance call and fatally shoots an unarmed teenager. Despite being cleared of wrongdoing by a grand jury, Tess is so hounded by the public that she takes a job in Oregon to escape the bad press.Winning over the residents of Rogue's Hollow might be more difficult than adjusting to her new role as police chief in the small, backwater town. Especially when her closest friend, the pastor's wife, goes missing and the woman's cousin is found shot. Tess finds an ally in sheriff's deputy Steve Logan, but as they track down Rogue's Hollow's first murderer, she worries that she's breaking one of her rules and getting too close to him.My review:I have yet to be disappointed in a Janice Cantore book, and was happy to see a new series starting by her. The fact that she is a former police officer makes her books all the more interesting, as she knows police work and knows police work and procedure.

This book starts out with a look at what it is like for police officers when a justified shooting is declared unjustified by the public. There has been a lot of hatred towards the police in real life in a couple of such cases, so it it was interesting to see a police officer's take on that, even in a fictional story.

As with her other novels, Cantore has come up with some great characters, plot, and setting. Romance is rarely center stage in her novels, and she tends to build up to it all through a series instead of having the couple fall in love and be married at the end of the book..... not that I am knocking authors who do that.

Crisis Shot is a book where you have a hard time deciding who the bad guy/guys are. Cantore did a great job of writing a suspenseful novel, and keeping her bad guys' identities a secret to the reader. There is a lot of suspense, police/detective work, and tense situations, all opportunities to test the new police chief.

I read the book in one evening. It is the kind of book you don't want to put down, so I didn't. I had the time to read, so I read through to the great and climatic end. It was definitely an enjoyable read, and the author can add another great novel to her author resume'.

I was given a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

About the author:

A former Long Beach, California, police officer of twenty-two years, Janice Cantore worked a variety of assignments, including patrol, administration, juvenile investigations, and training. She’s always enjoyed writing and published two short articles on faith at work for Cop and Christ and Today’s Christian Woman before tackling novels. A few years ago, she retired to a house in the mountains of Southern California, where she lives with three Labrador retrievers, Jake, Maggie, and Abbie. Janice writes suspense novels designed to keep readers engrossed and leave them inspired. Accused is the first book in the Pacific Coast Justice series, featuring Carly Edwards. Janice also authored the Brinna’s Heart series, which includes The Kevlar Heart and A Heart of Justice. Visit Janice’s website at www.janicecantore.com and connect with her on Facebook.

Dee Henderson Pens Another Compelling Cold Case MysteryEvie Blackwell's reputation as a top investigator for the Illinois State Police has landed her an appointment to the governor's new Missing Persons Task Force. This elite investigative team is launched with plenty of public fanfare. The governor has made this initiative a high priority, so they will have to produce results--and quickly.Evie and her new partner, David Marshal, are assigned to a pair of unrelated cases in suburban Chicago, and while both involve persons now missing for several years, the cases couldn't be more different. While Evie opens old wounds in a close-knit neighborhood to find a missing college student, David searches for a private investigator working for a high-powered client.With a deep conviction that "justice for all" truly matters, Evie and David are unrelenting in their search for the truth. But Evie must also find answers to the questions that lie just beneath the surface in her personal life.My review:

I hate to give bad reviews, especially for authors who have written books I have enjoyed. I loved the O Malley Series and a few others she wrote, but I just have not been able to get into her most recent books. I had trouble getting into her last series, but had hopes for this one..... but was disappointed. There is hardly any suspense or action, and I had to make myself read it.

I am not one to totally annihilate an author or their book, so I will just leave it at that: The book was not interesting, and needed more suspense and action.

I was given a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

About the author:

Dee Henderson is the author of 14 best-selling novels, including the acclaimed O'Malley series and the Uncommon Heroes series. As a leader in the inspirational romantic suspense category, her books have won or been nominated for several prestigious industry awards, including the RWA's RITA Award, the Christy Award, the ECPA Gold Medallion, the Holt Medallion, the National Readers' Choice Award, and the Golden Quill. Dee is a lifelong resident of Illinois and is active online.

Threads of Suspicion is available from Bethany House, part of the Baker Publushing Group.

Book description:Ian Wells is a young criminal defense attorney struggling to build a Minneapolis law practice he inherited from his father while caring for a mother with Alzheimer's. Nearly at the breaking point, everything changes for Ian when a new client offers a simple case: determine whether three men qualify for over nine million dollars of trust funds. To qualify, none can have been involved in criminal activity for the past twenty years. Ian's fee for a week's work: the unbelievable sum of two hundred thousand dollars. Ian warily accepts the job--but is quickly dragged deep into a mystery linking the trust with a decades-old criminal enterprise and the greatest unsolved art theft in Minnesota history. As stolen money from the art theft surfaces, Ian finds himself the target of a criminal investigation by Brook Daniels, a prosecutor who is also his closest law school friend. He realizes too late that this simple investigation has spun out of control and now threatens his career, his future, and his life.My review:Todd Johnson is still a fairly new author, with this being just his third book. I read the other two and enjoyed them, so I figured I'd like this one also.

There are some books you read that are predictable, but this was not one of those. It is a book I'd classify as a legal thriller, and it is one full of suspense and action. I found myself liking and feeling bad for the main character as he quickly got in over his head as he just tried to do his job.

I wouldn't necessarily classify this book as Christian fiction, as there really isn't much Christian content... if any. Yet, the book is definitely Christian in worldview, and there is no cursing or improper content. Johnson is able to spin a great story without putting any cursing or improper content, which I admire in an author.

I very much enjoyed this book, and it could possibly be his best yet. It is definitely a page turner that I didn't want to put down, and I was surprised at the ending, which came all too fast. Great read.

I was given a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

About the author:

Todd M. Johnson has been a practicing attorney for over 30 years. Todd's passion for writing blends well with his legal career, and his novels are drawn closely from his personal experiences as a trial lawyer.

A graduate of Princeton University and the University of Minnesota Law School, Todd taught for two years as an adjunct professor of International Law, and has served as a US diplomat in Hong Kong.

The Deposit Slip, Johnson's first novel, debuted in 2012. His second novel, Critical Reaction, was released in October 2013.

A third novel, Fatal Trust, is set in Todd's hometown of Minneapolis, and released in early summer 2017.

Fatal Trust is available from Bethany House Publishers, part of the Baker Publishing Group.

The ocean swirled around the boy and pulled him down with unrelenting power. Heavy water churned and tugged at his flailing body like unseen hands yanking him into the watery depths. The fight was finally over. Even though he’d tried to stand up to the enemy, the waves were about to swallow him whole.

The last thing ten-year-old Corey remembers (before the world as he knew it disappeared) was the searing pain in his head after falling while chasing his dog Molly into the woods. What happens next can't be explained as Corey wakes up and finds himself face-to-face with not one but two lions!

Join Corey and experience the excitement. . .the wonder. . . the adventure. . .as the epic story of Noah’s ark comes to life.My review:I review all kinds of Christian books, and they are not always geared for a guy my age... as is the case with this one. Imagine.....The Great Flood is the first in a series of books for 8-12 year olds.

In the book, 10-year-old Corey goes back in time to when the Great Flood is about to happen. The author had a great idea with this series, and I was impressed with this first book. Some of what the author wrote about, such as the Nephtilum, are his idea of what things were like, but they don't detract from the story in any way. Even as an adult, I thought it was cool to take a look at the ark and flood through the eyes of a boy from modern times. I am sure kids of the intended age group will enjoy it.

The book is interesting, and very well written. It did leave me wondering as to how Corey went back in time.... was it a dream, or did it really happen? Maybe the author deliberately didn't say so the reader would have to make their own decision on what happened. Regardless, this is a great book for kids to read.

I was given a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

About the author:

Matt Koceich is a husband, father, and public school teacher. Matt and his family live in Texas.

A stunning story of Holy Week through the eyes of a Roman centurion Watch the triumphal entry of the donkey-riding king through the eyes of Marcus Longinus, the centurion charged with keeping the streets from erupting into open rebellion.Look behind the scenes at the political plotting of King Herod, known as the scheming Fox for his ruthless shrewdness.Get a front-row seat to the confrontation between the Jewish high priest Caiaphas and the Roman governor Pontius Pilate.Understand as never before the horror of the decision to save a brutal terrorist in order to condemn the peaceful Jew to death.If you've heard the story of Passion Week so often it's become stale, now is the time to rediscover the terrible events leading from Jesus's humble ride into the city to his crucifixion. The Soldier Who Killed a King will stun you afresh with how completely Christ's resurrection changed history, one life at a time.My review:

I like it when an author takes a real historical person that not much is known about, and writes a book about them. We don't know much about the centurion who said "surely this man was the Son of God" when Jesus died, but David Kitz spins a story around the little we know to make a great and interesting read.

The book starts out before the arrest and crucifixion of Jesus, and goes a little beyond His resurrection. In between those pages, the author tells the true events while weaving into the story his idea of what the centurion may have been like both before and after the crucifixion. We read the Biblical account over and over, and I found this book takes a refreshing new look at the events of Holy Week. I don't feel the author did any disservice to the Bible account. I have never read any books by Kitz, but I found the book to be a riveting and interesting read. And though some of it is fictional, he did a great job of filling in the holes with his idea of what we don't know.

I was given a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

About the author:

David Kitz is a Bible dramatist, an award winning author, a convention speaker and a retired public school teacher. For over twenty-five years, he has served as an ordained minister with the Foursquare Gospel Church of Canada.

David has a Master’s degree in Biblical Studies, in addition to Bachelor’s degrees in both Arts and Education. His love for drama and storytelling is evident to all who have seen his Bible based performances. For several years now, he has toured across Canada and into the United States with a variety of one man plays for both children and adults. Though born and raised in Saskatchewan, David now lives in Ottawa, Canada with his wife Karen. They have two adult sons, Timothy and Joshua.

Thursday, August 17, 2017

Intensity. Skill. Tenacity.The bodyguards of Elite Guardians Agency have it all.When a photo leads investigators in West Ireland to open a twenty-five-year-old cold case, Elite Guardians bodyguard Haley Callaghan's life is suddenly in danger. Haley knows how to take care of herself; after all, she's made a career out of taking care of others. But after she has an uncomfortably close call, Detective Steven Rothwell takes it upon himself to stay with her--and the young client she has taken under her wing. A protector at heart, he's not about to let Haley fight this battle alone.In a sweeping plot that takes them into long-buried memories--and the depths of the heart--Haley and Steven will have to solve the mystery of Haley's past while dodging bullets, bombs, and bad guys who just won't quit.My review:

Lynette Eason continues to put out top notch Christian suspense, and seems to get better with each book she writes. My only complaint about her books, is they all seem more geared to women readers, with most of her books having only women on the cover, and revolving around a female character..... but I still love her books.

This has been another awesome series by her, and it sadly ends with this 4th book in the series, Chasing Secrets. It is quite different than her other books, as she starts the book out in Ireland 25 years in a prologue chapter before the actual story starts, and the events in Ireland effect the main character and events of the rest of the book.

Chasing Secrets brings back some of the same characters from the rest of the books, along with several new ones, most of them likable......some not so much.

I am struggling through a book right now by a suspense author I used to love. There is no action, and it is difficult to get through. This book is far from that. It has non-stop action and drama, and a lot of surprises. The book is definitely unpredictable, other than the romance angle......which even this confirmed bachelor enjoyed.

I started this book on my lunch break at work yesterday and also read it on my second break, and it was very difficult to put it down and go back to work both times. Immediately after getting home and eating supper, I dove back into it and didn't put it down until I finished it..... then read a few favorite parts again. This is one of Eason's best books, and that is saying a lot considering how great her other books are.

As part of the story, Haley takes an interest in two boys with no father, and the events surrounding them add even more to the story, and I loved the conclusion of that part.

There was nothing to dislike about this book. Christian in content, great characters, awesome non-stop suspense, and yeah.....even the romance, which wasn't gushy or overdone. Eason has another book she can rightly be proud of, and again shows why she is one of my top favorite authors.

I was given a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

About the author:

Lynette Eason is the bestselling author of the Women of Justice series, the Deadly Reunions series, and the Hidden Identity series, as well as Always Watching, Without Warning, Moving Target, and Chasing Secrets in the Elite Guardians series. She is the winner of two ACFW Carol Awards, the Selah Award, and the Inspirational Readers' Choice Award. She has a master's degree in education from Converse College and lives in South Carolina. Learn more at www.lynetteeason.com.

Check out the other books in the Elite Guardian Series, which along with Chasing Secrets, are all available from Revell Publishing, part of the Baker Publishing Group.

Tuesday, August 15, 2017

USA TODAY bestselling author Colleen Coble returns to her beloved Rock Harbor—but both danger and romance hide in this idyllic small town.Dana Newell has just moved to Rock Harbor to take a job as a sheriff's dispatcher and is settling in next door to Bree and Kade Matthews. The abusive relationship she left behind seems a distant memory in this perfect place.Her first day on the job, Dana receives a call from her friend Allyson who screams "He's going to kill me too" before the phone goes dead. Dana immediately dispatches a deputy, but it's too late. Allyson's death is ruled an accident, but Dana just doesn't believe it. She knows Allyson—an investigative reporter—was researching a new story. Did someone want to keep her quiet?Dana continues to look into the accident with the help of Bree and also Allyson's cousin Boone. Romance quickly blooms between Dana and Boone but the game is much more complex than either of them imagined. When Dana's ex-fiance locates her, she's caught in the middle. It’s a game of cat and mouse as she and Boone fight to catch one killer while evading another.My review:
I am not sure why, but I became a Colleen Coble fan late in her writing career. I had sporadically read some of her books, but didn't get into them that much. That has changed over the last few years, and I have become an avid reader of her books. In fact, I have gone back and read around 20 of her books in the last month, many that I had read before.

Her best series, in my opinion, is her Rock Harbor Series. The characters are impossible not to like, and everything about the series is just top notch. It has been several years since the series ended, so I was a bit dubious about another book in the series so long after the rest.... but I was wrong to be dubious. It probably helps that I just re-read the other books a few weeks ago, but this book seamlessly fell in with the rest..... and was a totally awesome 5-stars read.

The suspense and drama was great in the book, but there was a message throughout the book that Coble got across, of true beauty being what is inside. The hero of the story, Boone, is a man who got one side of his face scarred in a fire. As a result, his fiancee left him. He thinks no woman could ever love him, yet the heroine of the story is attracted to him largely in part because of who he is inside. The message is there that we work too hard to impress people with what they see of us outwardly, and too often don't work on our character and everything else inside enough. On the flip side, the bad guy in the story had perfect looks, but was an evil killer.

This paragraph sums up the theme and message of the book:

"Scars and all, his face was so handsome, so beloved. Her experience had taught her of how the soul was the repository of beauty. Unlike the Phantom (of the opera) who was as ugly on the inside as he was on the outside, Boone's scars hid an astoundingly beautiful soul. She had spent too much of her life worrying about the face she presented to the world, and much too little time on the character she needed to be developing every day."

Thanks, Colleen for writing not just a great suspense novel that was hard to put down, but also for including this great and needful message.

** I purchased this book, and was not given a copy to review, but thought it deserved a review.

About the author:

Best-selling romantic suspense author Colleen Coble’s novels have won or finaled in awards ranging from the Best Books of Indiana, the ACFW Carol Award, the Romance Writers of America RITA, the Holt Medallion, the Daphne du Maurier, National Readers’ Choice, and the Booksellers Best. She has nearly 4 million books in print and writes romantic mysteries because she loves to see justice prevail. Colleen is CEO of American Christian Fiction Writers. She lives with her husband Dave in Indiana. Visit her website at www.colleencoble.com.

Friday, August 11, 2017

PROTECTING THE PRESIDENT Amid the idyllic scenery of Hawaii, rookie Secret Service agent Alana Preston is attacked, and a sinister plot to assassinate the president begins taking shape. But nobody seems to believe Alana, and she doesn't know who she can trust--except Secret Service director James Locke. Now, with an assassin hiding in plain sight on the island, she and James may be the president's last line of defense. The closer they get to cracking the case, however, the more intertwined their lives become. And they must fight to keep their hearts out of it. With the life of the commander-in-chief in their hands, falling in love could be a deadly distraction...My review:

I first ran across Lisa Phillips when her Sanctuary Series came up as recommended Christian fiction on Amazon. It is a series set in a hidden town full of people in the Witness Protection Program. I bought the first two books, and was hooked, (and was sad when the series ended).

This is the first Love Inspired Suspense novel I have read by Phillips, and she does not disappoint here either. This is a bit different from some suspense novels I have read in that it centers on Secret Service agents.

These books are a good bit shorter than the other books I read by Phillips, but she packs a lot into the pages. I liked everything about the book: plot, setting, characters, suspense, and action. Granted, the book was just 218 pages long, but I couldn't put it down and read it through in one sitting. I enjoyed the family dynamic between the female lead character and her family, and thought it added a lot to the story.

I figured out early on who the bad guy was, but was surprised by the twist in the story when the author revealed who the bad guy was. That also made the book end in a different way than I was expecting, so kudos to the author for that surprise.

All in all, this was a great read, and I enjoyed every page of it.

I was given a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.About the author:

A British ex-pat who grew up an hour outside of London, Lisa attended Calvary Chapel Bible College where she met her husband. He's from California, but nobody's perfect. It wasn't until her Bible College graduation that she figured out she was a writer (someone told her). Since then she's taken the Apprentice and Journeyman writing courses with the Christian Writers Guild, and discovered a penchant for high-stakes stories of mayhem and disaster where you can find made-for-each-other love that always ends in happily ever after.

Lisa can be found in Idaho wearing either flip-flops or cowgirl boots, depending on the season. She leads worship with her husband at their local church. Together they have two children--a sparkly Little Princess and a Mini Daddy--and two bunny rabbits.

Wednesday, August 9, 2017

Book description:Inspire. . . Challenge. . . Fuel Your Faith.This daily devotional from Josh McDowell unpacks spiritual truths that will inspire, challenge, and fuel your soul every day of the year--from January 1 to December 31.Practical and relevant, each month of devotional readings shares a common theme—January: THE TRUTH THAT GOD EXISTSFebruary: THE TRUTH ABOUT GOD'S WORDMarch: THE TRUTH ABOUT ORIGINAL SINApril: THE TRUTH ABOUT GOD BECOMING HUMANMay: THE TRUTH ABOUT CHRIST'S ATONEMENT FOR SINJune: THE TRUTH ABOUT JUSTIFICATION THROUGH FAITH IN JESUS CHRISTJuly: THE TRUTH ABOUT LIVING THE TRANSFORMED LIFEAugust: THE TRUTH ABOUT JESUS' BODILY RESURRECTIONSeptember: THE TRUTH ABOUT THE TRINITYOctober: THE TRUTH ABOUT GOD'S KINGDOMNovember: THE TRUTH ABOUT THE CHURCHDecember: THE TRUTH ABOUT CHRIST'S RETURN.Truth Is. . . 365 Youth Devotions Connecting Life and Faith will lead you to understand the truths of God and how living them out is beneficial in your everyday life.My review:

There are some names that are associated with quality writing, and Josh McDowell is one of those names. He is best known for his apologetics writing, and now for a teen devotional. To my knowledge, this is the first devotional book he has written....... though I could be wrong.

The book is a 365 day devotional, and is written for teenagers. Each day starts out with a Bible verse or two. That is followed by a short introduction to the devotional. The main part is the "Truth is" section. It ends with a short prayer.

I can't remember reviewing any teen devotionals, so I can't compare this one with any others. However, I can say it is a quality devotional with interesting writings that are relevant for teenagers, and that have valuable truths in them. It is obvious a lot of thought and prayer went into this book, and the result is a great devotional book for teens that is sure to help them grow spiritually. The topics in the book cover a vast array of subjects, and teenagers are definitely going to be helped by the content.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review.

About the author:

As a young man, Josh McDowell considered himself an agnostic. He truly believed that Christianity was worthless. However, when challenged to intellectually examine the claims of Christianity, Josh discovered compelling, overwhelming evidence for the reliability of the Christian faith. After trusting in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord, Josh’s life changed dramatically as he experienced the power of God’s love.

After his conversion, his plans for law school turned instead to plans to tell a doubting world about the truth of Jesus Christ. After studying at Kellogg College, Josh completed his college degree at Wheaton College and then attended Talbot Theological Seminary, where he graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Master of Divinity degree.

In 1961, Josh joined the staff of Campus Crusade for Christ International. Not long after, he started the Josh McDowell Ministry to reach young people worldwide with the truth and love of Jesus.

Well known as an articulate speaker, Josh has addressed more than 10 million young people, giving over 24,000 talks in 118 countries.

As he traveled to other countries, Josh quickly realized that where people were sick, homeless, and hungry, words were not enough. In 1991, Josh founded Operation Carelift to meet the physical and spiritual needs he discovered in orphanages, hospitals, schools, and prisons in the countries of the former Soviet Union. Since that time, Operation Carelift has delivered humanitarian aid (food, clothing, and medical supplies) worth more than $46,000,000. That is the equivalent of 278 forty-ton containers. Nearly one million children have received school supplies, food items, hygiene items, and toys from the volunteers that traveled twice a year to share God’s love with them.

Josh has received two significant honors from the Russian people because of these efforts. He was elected as an honorary fellow of the Medical Society (The Medical Union of Pediatrics) of Russia on January 24, 1995—in recognition of his work among the children of Russia. Also, Josh is the only foreigner to become a member of the prestigious Russian Club of Scientists. Operation Carelift, which has grown into in one of the largest humanitarian aid organizations based in the United States, is now a part of Global Aid Network (GAiN USA).

Since 1960, Josh has written or co-authored 120 books including:

More Than a Carpenter -- 15 million copies in 85 languages.
New Evidence That Demands a Verdict -- named one the twentieth century’s top 40 books and one of the thirteen most influential books of the last 50 years on Christian thought by World Magazine.

In addition to many other awards, Josh has been nominated 36 times for the Gold Medallion Award and has received that award on four occasions.

In spite of all the honors and awards he has received, Josh will tell anyone that his greatest joys and pleasures come from his family. He and his wife Dottie have been married 40 years. They have four children and five grandchildren.

#Truth: 365 Devotions for Teens Connecting Life and Faith is available from Shiloh Publishing, an imprint of Barbour Books.

Thursday, August 3, 2017

Book description:Life lessons and almost irreverent musings from twenty-five years in the global coffee industry When many Christians take a long, hard look at the lives of the spiritual elite in America, they want to shout, "I don't want to be like that!" Ron DeMiglio knows how they feel and he's not afraid to do the shouting—even when those shouts are sometimes directed at himself.Coffee, the World, and Jesus is a collection of mildly contrarian musings from this international coffee businessman who happens to love Jesus. In these humorous vignettes about the relational, flawed, unwavering faith Ron clings to, readers will find glimmers of their own daily struggles to reflect Christ in a fallen world. For the religiously cautious, the disillusioned, and jaded followers of Christianity, this is a refreshing look at how God reveals Himself to be so much bigger than politics, dogmas, or western influences.Ron's sidesplitting series of stories about how he found his spiritual groove smack-dab in the middle of his God-breathed, coffee-scented uniqueness will appeal to readers looking for a quick bite of spiritual growth with their next latte.My review:

I am not a coffee drinker, but this book sounded interesting, so I requested it. I can honestly say you don't have to like coffee to enjoy reading the book.

The chapters are a bit random in thought and topic, but it works for the book. The author has traveled all over the world in the coffee business, and has a lot of interesting stories to tell that happened to him. Some are amusing, some are more serious, and he tells on himself a lot... something I consider to be brave.

Sprinkled throughout all of the stories and anecdotes are lessons the author learned and is passing on through what he relates in the book.

I found the book an interesting read, and it is a book one may read more than once.

I was given a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

About the author:
Ron DeMiglio is the former president and owner of Eko Brands, LLC. The past twenty-five years of his life have centered around coffee as he traveled around the world. Ron lives in Snohomish, Washington.

I review books for:

Note to authors: I do review for some publishers, but if you are interested in getting a book reviewed, doing a email review, or even a guest blog, contact me. I am primarily interested in Christian fiction, and other types of Christian books. I also like to host giveaways.

I do prefer physical copies, as I never read e-books.

Also interested in reviewing other items. Email: marcus802001(at)yahoo(dot)com

About Me

I live in Lisbon, Ohio. I am single, and am uncle to the six greatest kids in the world. I enjoy blogging about Christian fiction, my family, Christianity, and the events of my life.
I deal personally with same-sex attraction, but am living according to God's Word with His help.
If you are an author, particularly Christian fiction, and need someone to review your book, give me a holler.